[First Impressions] Assassins Creed: Bloodlines

[F34R]

Just got done playing a little Assassins Creed for the PSP. The game is set to release on the 17th of this month. So, how is it? Is it worth buying, is it a rental, or should you ignore it all together?

Let's find out! Be warned, this "impressions" thread may contain spoilers. The rest of this thread will be contained in a spoiler tag. If you want to read it, obviously click the spoiler button. Be warned, again, there are spoilers involved. So, here we go!

The opening cinematic is intense, and brilliant. It certainly sets the mood for the game. Your character is seen lurking in the shadows, then pronouncing an unsuspecting guard as dead. You're then surrounded by a few other guards, and you quickly dispose of the problem and escape to the top of a castle wall. Here you'll see an amazing shot into the horizon. Exit stage left.

Next, you're greeted with an option to install some data to the memory stick to reduce load times. The data amount is 4640KB. Next up is your game save, 576KB, and you're informed of the auto-save feature/warning. Be advised, your progress could be lost without the game save.

The "start" screen is gorgeous. It's simple. The music at this screen definitely feels eerie. So let's press START!

You'll have an option to go through the user tutorial consists of various instructions on how to move, navigate, fight, etc. Basically it teaches you how to control the game. The "Creed" is also explained at this point. The three "rules". You'll finish off the tutorial by a set of "tasks" to perform related to running, jumping, climbing, leaps of faith, and fighting.

After completing the basics, you'll run through a mission. It's fairly straight forward. You'll basically be able to use all that you've learned with the basics to complete the mission.

The game is amazing. It looks great. The character animations are nice, the killing is brutal, and your character has a lot of "life" to him. The environments are interactive for the most part. If you can get a hand on it, climb it, etc., it's there. There does appear to have some predetermined paths for certain parts of the game, but you do have some freedom in the same regard. The "levels" look really good on the PSP as well.

The sounds are very nicely put together too. From the sounds of your walking, running, jumping, swordplay, and the KILLS, to the in game music. It's all atmospheric.

The controls will take a little getting used to. By the time you've completed the tutorial level, you should be well on your way to getting the hang of it. I didn't play the console version of the game so I don't know if having experience with those controls will help here or not. They aren't hard to use, but there is a variety in the way you use them. For example, holding L + face buttons control the camera. Those same face buttons are attacks, actions, etc., when used with the R button. The combat is easy enough to learn. You'll have basic attacks, counter-attacks, and blocking. You'll also be able to steal assassinate people that are not aware of your presence.... the kills are most rewarding during a fight, and a sneak attack.

That's about it for the spoiler section. I will add more info later, along with a video. That'll probably be tomorrow though.

So, if you've read the contents of the spoiler tag, you already know this game is a MUST buy.

I hope you enjoyed the read.

[Hedrush]

It feels quite limited to me but Ive only played it for about 30 mins or so. Its not bad tho, liking it so far.

[falconsfan07]

Nice review. +Rep.

[Chaos2313]

even though it isnt as fluid as the console version it creates the experience really nicely, in terms of its free running I'm not disapointed at all and finally altair doesnt sound so americanised

[mickice]

Whats with these games installing data? lol. When it's only 5mb how could that really have much effect?

I'm no programmer, so it probably does alot more then I think.

[F34R]

It "says" to improve loading times. I don't know how true that is, but it's probably code to pre-fetch data at certain points.

[mickice]

It "says" to improve loading times. I don't know how true that is, but it's probably code to pre-fetch data at certain points.

If it's 5MB like this one and LBP it's fine, but if it's 1GB like Gran Turismo (although optional), thats just not on. Untill SONY can lower the price of their Pro Duo or M2 cards + converter. I wanna see my UMD games take up as little space as posible.

[SupraGaz]

Enjoying this too. Loved the intro scene
About ten minutes into the game after the tutorial.
Wetting my appetite for AC2 on PS3 now

[ERC1980]

Enjoying this too. Loved the intro scene
About ten minutes into the game after the tutorial.
Wetting my appetite for AC2 on PS3 now

How the hell did you get the game early?

did you get the bundle?

[F34R]

If it's 5MB like this one and LBP it's fine, but if it's 1GB like Gran Turismo (although optional), thats just not on. Untill SONY can lower the price of their Pro Duo or M2 cards + converter. I wanna see my UMD games take up as little space as posible.

Yea, it's just shy of 5MB. The difference between GT on the PSP though is that you are installing the entire game onto the memory stick much like installing games onto the Xbox 360 HDD.

[Galvanise_]

Thanks for the review! This was a game I was on the fence about. I'll be sure to check it out now.

[F34R]

Once I'm a lot further on, I'll update with a "full" impression of the game, and try not to spoil it too much. So far though, excellent PSP game... excellent!

[lloyd_yayo]

think i may buy this before i get AC2

[Zoibie]

How does controlling the camera feel? (If you can that is.) Any noticeable graphics glitches?

[Lethal_NFS]

I just got done messing with this game. The graphics are very nice and if AC2 were not releasing tonight I would probably put more time in to this one. I am also enjoying Ghostbusters and Little Big Planet on the PSP. LBP is simply amazing!

[F34R]

There are probably videos already, but I'll post one tomorrow.... well, later today lol.

[Saix7]

It's pretty darn good for a game on PSP. If your a fan of Assassins Creed you'll definitely love it!

[crazy88]

Man, there really is a lot of great games coming out for the PSP at the moment. I'm glad i just bought one

Thanks for all the opinions on the game people, really good to read what you all think of it.

[lloyd_yayo]

im buying this as soon as the PSN comes back online

[thereal_Aevia]

and id have to say....

Assassins Creed:Bloodlines is a waste of my hard earned $39.99!! the controls are not smooth and the camera angles take a lot of getting used to. I will be finishing the game because maybe it will surprise me as i get used to the game play mechanics. So far Bloodlines is not playing as good as i thought it was but then again AC wasn't that fun of a game either. Since its suppose to take off where AC left off then i guess i should have known better. i didn't like the first AC because of the repetitive game play and stiff controls.

i should have bought LBP instead...


p.s. storyline is a bit confusing then again i do not remember how the last one ended well i do but not character wise...i remember defeating that one Assassin leader or whatever the heck his name was then being pulled back into the present time while being attached by the Templar's or something then i was able to walk about the lab room...

so i guess you can say my first impressions are two thumbs down and one finger up!

updated 11/18/09
*** I FINSHED THE GAME AND I STILL STAND FIRMLY ON MY FIRST IMPRESSION!!

SPOLIER ALERT!!!

MYSELF AND EVERYONE WHO BOUGHT IT....JUST GOT PLAYED....

the ending is nothing speical for some damn reason altire still has the apple of eden... this game was suppose to explain the first Assassins Creed...idk im confused and i am spending wwwwaaaayyyy to much of my brain power trying to fill in the blanks. so whatever this is my last rant on this poorly executed excuse to put Assassins Creed on the psp...

DONT BUY UNLESS YOU ENJOY THE FIRST ASSASSINS CREED!!!